Archive for April, 2008

Its All In the Hips

Have you noticed that your pooch is moving a little slower these days?  Has the simple act of getting up or climbing stairs become a bit of a process?  Stiff joints and arthritis pain affect so many of our pampered pups.  If your pooch is affected, talk to your vet about incorporating Hip Action Treats into their diet.  These treats are incredibly yummy – soft – and loaded with nutritious ingredients.  Each Hip Action Treats is chock full with 300 mg Glucosamine and 50 mg of Chondroitin to help promote joint mobility and ease arthritis pain.  However, these treats are not just for senior dogs the added daily dose of Glucosamine and Chondroitin are great for keeping hips and joints moving at maximum potential in younger dogs.  With delicious flavors like Peanut Butter and Beef what pooch could resist?

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Groomer Has It – Puppy’s First Groom

Hip hip hooray!! The groomers agree with me, they love Sarah and felt Will deserved to go.  Rather than returning to the doghouse with his tail between his legs (as Jai would say) he returned confidently as if the judges actually commended him on his grooming.  What planet is this guy from?

The Quick Sniff Challenge was another great business lesson for the groomers.  The Groomer of the Year will be awarded their own grooming van ultimately making them an instant small business owner.  They will quickly go from a “back of house” position to “front of house” and will be required to work directly with clients dealing with requests, complaints, and general customer service issues.  Some groomers dealt with the clients better than others.  Artist packed attitude with everyone – the Maltese was too pink, Danny asked to many personal questions about the origin of his name, and the gentleman with the mutt had no right to want his dog to look best in show because it’s a mutt.  Artist needs an attitude adjustment if he wants to hang around a few more weeks.  Jonathan rocked the Quick Sniff by using the information he was provided with to create an instant bond with his prospective clients and it worked…The clients were gushing over Jonathan!!  Will reminded me of a used car salesman and I am really ready for him to go home!  Kathleen won the Quick Sniff…Go figure, I really thought Jonathan had it in the bag but the dogs barked and the judges listened!!

The grooming challenge was puppies!!  Kathleen was the winner of the Quick Sniff Challenge and was given a “leg-up” she was able to select the dog she wanted to groom and she chose the Pomeranian.  The rest of the groomers were given their dogs at random.  Artist made his puppy Oliver uncomfortable by plucking the ears a task he deemed necessary and Jorge was scolded for the first time for not utilizing cotton the Cocker Spaniel’s ears before bathing (tisk tisk Jorge!).  Malissa used way too much powder – Jonathan did a great job (shocker, right) and I loved the transformation of Coco, Amber’s dog and Will created a wonderful rapport with his dog. 

The judges felt Malissa and Jonathan were at the back of the pack this week, rightfully so.  Up until now it has been very cut and dry for me regarding which groomer should go home (although the judges never seem to agree with me)!  This week, it’s a toss up between the Jon who lacks confidence and business skills and Malissa who lacks common sense and added more powder to the dog than Joan Rivers! Ultimately, Malissa got a pass and Jon had a nervous breakdown (I guess he never got the talk from his father, never let ‘em see you cry)!!  I have to concur with the judges this week…Adios Jon!

 

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Amped Up Snacks

Just like people often times our pets are lacking in essential nutrients and vitamins they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle from birth through their senior years.  I don’t know about your pooch but Chloe is the World’s worst pill taker.  She does everything she can to avoid the pill and ultimately we end up with powder and pill dust all over the kitchen floor and an angry Chloe stomping off (sans pill of course).  Zukes is a Colorado based treat company that prides itself on their uses of healthy, wholesome, delicious ingredients all made and grown in the USA (with the exception of the New Zealand Lamb).  Aside from just producing scrumptious treats they also offer an “amped up” treat Power Bones, perfect for busy dogs.  

Power Bones give active dogs an extra boost of energy similar to an active human using an energy bar to reload!!  They are formulated with both simple and complex carbs to give your busy pooch a burst of immediate energy and a sustained increase in energy level.  The energy boost isn’t where the benefits end from Power Bones these treats are also formulated with fresh blueberries a powerful antioxidant, fresh carrots for healthy eyes, fresh apples to promote a healthy immune system, ground flaxseed for Omega-3 fatty acids and whole grains for necessary dietary fiber.  Power Bones are also free of wheat, corn, and soy three of the most common fillers and allergens to dogs.  

If your pooch has sampled Power Bones let us know what you think and don’t forget to tell us if your pooch prefers chicken, beef, or peanut butter!!  

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Groomer Has It – The Yarn Dogs

Last night was the premiere episode of the highly anticipated “Groomer Has It” on Animal Planet!!  Chloe and I give the show a big WOO HOO!! It was a great blend of drama, education, and excitement and we can hardly wait for the second installment next week.  The Quick Sniff Challenge was hilarious to watch!!  All 12 groomers blindfolded had to guess the breed of the dog.  Of course home on my comfy couch I was able to guess all 9 (oh but wait I wasn’t blindfolded…er scratch that ego boost).  I was amazed at Jessica who guessed 6 correct – right out of the gate, Kathleen got 8, and Amber was the winner with a perfect 9!!  

The actual challenge involved grooming a yarn dog and the groomers were given full artistic freedom.  Holy macaroni folks…The dogs ranged from breathtaking to absolutely hideous.  Amber who rocked the first challenge dyed her entire dog pink except for the tush and legs, she dyed them blue (to resemble pants, of course)!  Neither the judges or I were fond of this grooming job but it was good enough to keep her in the game (thank goodness, I like her).  I was disappointed by Will, I expected with his over the top personality that he would bring an over the grooming job, not the case (I am hoping for more out of him next week), I loved what celebrity dog groomers Jorge and Jonathan did with their dogs.  It was a toss up to me regarding who should have won.  I am going with the judges on this one simply because who would want their dog to say I “heart” NY on the side (I am sure I am missing a deeper artistic meaning here but, no thanks) otherwise the groom job was impeccable!!

How do you feel about who got sent home?  Lisa created “Flower” the yarn dog with an over dyed face and shabby groom while Gasper actually presented “Tripod” a dog with only 3 legs (gasp, he lost one in the groom process!!)  The dog had to lay down for presentation to the judges. I cant tell for sure but it almost appeared that the dog was dyed blue with long hair on one side and left white and short haired on the other, it was a horror show for sure!!  I have to say, I don’t agree with the judges for sending Lisa home (even though her dog was ugly as sin).  Gasper’s dog lost a limb in the grooming process and I am not sure how that is better than a shabby groom job.  As a pet parent I would rather receive my dog back with all four paws and a crummy groom (that will grow out again) than with three legs any day!!  While Gasper may ultimately have more experience and overall ability in my book loss of limb makes you the automatic looser of the challenge.  

I’d love to know your thoughts on the show, your favorite scenes, moments or your opinion on my take of what happened.  Let me know in the comments below or visit www.hautedogboutique.com and email us!!  

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These Paws are Made for Walking

Calling all New Yorkers!!  The weather is finally getting warmer and if you are anything like Chloe and I you’re just looking for any excuse to spend time outdoors.  Great news…Here is your chance to stretch your legs for a great cause…The American Cancer Society’s Dogswalk Against Cancer is held in Riverside Park 5/4 and for our upstate NY dog lovers at Bear Mountain State Park on 5/4 as well.  

It’s $25 if you pre-register or $35 if you register they day of the event.  Chloe and I always attend the Riverside Park event and we have the most fabulous time sniffing out the other pups and they have contests galore and face painters for the kids making it a great event for the whole family.

Dogswalk is held rain or shine and a few years ago it teemed the day of the event.  We were disappointed but decided to go anyway and we were thankful we did…Everyone showed up…The pups splashed in the puddles (and so did a few adults)!!  All in all it was a great time so don’t let weather deter you from getting out there having a great day with your pooch and raising money for a great cause.

For more information on how to register for the event visit the Dogswalk Against Cancer website for Riverside Park or Bear Mountain State Park.  See you there!!

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Bug Off – Fur Real

Here in NY it’s finally beginning to feel like spring and Chloe and I have been hitting the great outdoors daily to stretch our legs after a very long winter.  Chloe is enjoying just being a dog, running and (gasp) rolling in the grass for hours!!  The only problem with all of this rollie-pollie action is our area is loaded with insects and we always need to use insect repellent.  My favorite is Flea the Scene it leaves Chloe’s coat soft and it has aloe vera to relieve any itching plus it doubles as a sunscreen.  We’ve used it for years and keep a bottle at all of our favorite outdoor hot spots!!  So remember, this spring and summer you can’t beat a little fun in the sun but keep your pooch safe from pesky insects and the harsh rays of the sun with Flea the Scene!!

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Groomer Has It on Animal Planet…

I don’t know if you’ve been watching Animal Planet lately but have you seen the promos for their newest show “Groomer Has It” where 12 groomers snip, clip, and claw their way to the top but only one groomer can be crowned groomer of the year.  Chloe and I can hardly wait for the premiere episode this Saturday – April 12th at 9 PM e/p needless to say we’re digging the whole concept of the show.  We are making a whole night but more details on that later in the week.  If you haven’t seen the promos check out the “Groomer Has It” website for a sneak peek. 
 
Here’s the “Groomer Has It” scoop that we got from our friends at Animal Planet. ”Groomer Has It” is a new competition series, hosted by Jai Rodriguez, that sniffs out 12 of America’s most creative and hard-working groomers – amateur and professional – brings them to Los Angeles and puts their drive to the test against each other for the supreme grooming title as they transform some of the scruffiest-looking dogs to look their doggie best!  Three regular judges and one guest judge will put the groomers through their paces each week to see whose knowledge and skill can turn the shaggiest, most unstylish pooch into the a fancy, prancing pup. While every dog has its day, at the end of the series, only one groomer has his or hers… and is crowned Groomer of the Year!   
 
Of course, we’ll be reporting in Sunday with our favorite picks (well unless we can’t contain ourselves and feel the urge to log-on and blog after the show!!). 

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